Rural and Community Development Committee to meet Western Development Commission

Committee Chairman Joe Carey said: “The Western Development Commission is a statutory body that was set up to promote both social and economic development in the Western Region - Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. Its aim is to ensure that government policy is directed at improving the social and economic situation in the region; develop projects in tourism, industry, marine, renewable energy, technology and organic agri-food; and operate the €32 million Western Investment Fund to provide loans and equity to business and local communities in the West. Developing sustainable enterprises, improving tourism opportunities, promoting and encouraging enterprise and agribusiness and creating jobs are crucial in halting population decline and in sustaining rural communities, particularly in areas of the West. At our meeting we will have an opportunity to review the work of Western Development Commission, consider the current issues it is dealing with and discuss the future strategy of the Commission and its priorities in coming years.”

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 from 3pm. You can watch committee proceedings here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.